Motorola RFID RTLS Solution

Motorola launches its real-time location solution enabling the Wireless Next Generation (Wi-NG) architecture. The RFID-enabled solution creates a Real-time Location System (RTLS) that supports location awareness. Moto is promoting standards-based application programming interfaces for this solution to enable third party business capabilities. ...

... "Powered by the embedded RTLS engine, the Motorola Wi-NG architecture enables accurate location determination and presence detection capabilities for Wi-Fi-based devices, Wi-Fi-based active RFID tags and passive RFID tags. The solution can be deployed by small, medium and large organizations using Motorola’s full RF Switch portfolio in both indoor and outdoor environments. Motorola’s location solution is both RF- and tag-agnostic, and includes built-in location determination algorithms that can integrate data from third-party location engines. An industry-standard application level events (ALE) interface allows developers to create location-based business applications using location data. Capable of processing many location technologies simultaneously and delivering the data with a single XML-based interface, Motorola’s RTLS offers customers the most comprehensive and flexible location solution on the market. " ...

Via Motorola: Comprehensive Location Solution

Mine RFID Wifi Tags

Active Control Technology receives regulatory approval of its ActiveMine WiFi RFID tags that support wireless communications and location tracking for the mining industry. ...

... "The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has approved ActiveMine's RFID Wi-Fi Tags as intrinsically safe. The RFID Wi-Fi tags are a key component of the system that enable accurate and real-time tracking of people and assets and also offer auxiliary two-way messaging capability. " ...

Via Active Control Technology Inc: ActiveMines Rfid WiFi Tags

Asset Management RFID Reader

ThingMagic introduces the Astra RFID reader and antenna that is designed and targeted for use in the asset management market. ...

... "Astra's low profile, unobtrusive design, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) and WiFi options make it ideal for asset management in offices, healthcare facilities and other environments where ease of installation and deployment flexibility are essential for solution success. Driven by ThingMagic's Mercury5e embedded reader module, Astra has a read range of up to 30 feet for Generation 2 RFID tags, and can read over 190 tags per second. Fully supporting ThingMagic's enterprise-class MercuryOS software, Astra’s network management and security features include DHCP for configuration and firmware management, and SSL/SSH–based security. " ...

Via ThingMagic: Astra RFID Reader Simplifies Asset Management

AT&T RFID Healthcare Solution Offers Complete Infrastructure

AT&T offers turnkey solution for the healthcare industry that accelerates implementation through standard set of infrastructure. ...

... "AT&T is the first network services company to provide a comprehensive RFID solution for the health care industry. The company is offering the devices, infrastructure and systems needed for full-scale tracking applications - everything from tags and software to networks and data storage. In addition, the solution generates customized reports that can be used to enhance patient safety, increase operational efficiency and improve financial performance. More specifically, it provides a Wi-Fi-enabled location-based service to track equipment, devices and patients. For example, a hospital staff can track the current or a historical location of mobile assets - such as blood pressure monitoring devices, EKG machines, gurneys, infusion pumps, crash carts, computers-on-wheels, wheelchairs and laptops - from a Web browser. The solution will also alert health care staff if at-risk patients have wandered or been moved from their room. In addition, employees can use the data to manage mobile asset inventory across a single health care facility or multiple sites. " ...

Via AT&T: RFID Solution for Health Care Organizations

RFID Location Tracking in Elder Care

AeroScout and Surecom collaborate to implement nmedical alerting system for PresCare, an Australian elder-care provider. The solution uses RFID technology to provide track the status of elderly residents at one of its senior residential sites in Queensland, Australia. ...

... "Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tags along with its enterprise location tracking software, MobileView. These products communicate with the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure at the facility and are linked with each staff member's mobile handheld device as well as several flat screen monitors throughout the complex. AeroScout's unique Exciter products add enhanced high-accuracy detection at choke points such as doorways and exits. The AeroScout and Surecom solution is based on a set of configurable location-based rules, which trigger alerts when transgressed. These rules could include an at-risk resident wandering within a dangerous location, lack of movement for a configurable amount of time, a self-alerting button, or many others. Whenever an alert is triggered, an on-call nurse is immediately notified through their handheld device. " ...

Via AeroScout: PresCare Deploys AeroScout Wi-Fi RFID Solution for Patient Safety and Medical Alerting

RFID Laptop Asset Management

Axcess implements RFID asset management system at Universidad Regiomontana in Mexico to secure laptops. ...

... "The University deployed Axcess' ActiveTag RFID physical computer asset protection solution in January 2006 with the goal of reversing asset theft and enhancing personnel tracking. Prior to implementation the university suffered a rate of 10-15 percent in laptop thefts on a regular basis. Following the use of the system, the thefts have been reduced to zero.

Axcess' patented ActiveTagTM RFID/RTLS and sensing systems use small, re-usable battery-powered tags (generically called Dual-Active tags) that when automatically activated, transmit a wireless message typically 30 to 100 feet to hidden palm size receivers. The receivers are connected via standard network simultaneously to the enterprise system software, the existing security alarm equipment, and standalone middleware and end-user software provided by Axcess under the OnlineSurpervisor label. With tags being activated only on-demand and only at control point locations, the system is highly reliable and accurate, with the tags lasting five years or longer depending on the battery being used. The Axcess Control Point architecture has been found to be more reliable than other local positioning methods using Wi-Fi systems or signal strength measurements. Its activation-based positioning can determine if an asset has left a secured area down to 1 foot of accuracy and can also determine its direction. The system alerts responsible personnel on an exception basis, freeing up asset management personnel for other critical tasks. Axcess recently introduced a new, low profile high-powered RFID asset tag measuring only 1in by 3in by 1/4in high. It is uniquely capable of reliably tagging solid metal IT assets, a feat typically difficult for wireless tags. " ...

Via Axcess: RFID Stops University Laptop and Identity Thefts

Active RFID Tags Compatible With Cisco CCX Format

AeroScout WiFi tags are now compatible with Cisco's CCX tag format. Location functionality can be added to Wi-Fi networks easily. ...

... "The Cisco CCX tag format builds upon the Wi-Fi beaconing tag method that AeroScout and Cisco jointly pioneered. It is a new standard for communication from Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tags, which delivers location information and other valuable data to the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance. The beaconing method eliminates the need to associate with the Access Point and enables AeroScout's asset tracking solutions to easily scale to tens of thousands of tags without negatively impacting the Wi-Fi network. For example, one recent AeroScout installation uses this method to enable over 15,000 AeroScout tags to operate on a Cisco Unified Wireless Network. Other non-CCX tags that require an association method of continuous back-and-forth communication are severely limited in scalability and drain network resources." ...

Via AeroScout: Enhanced Location and Sensor Capabilities With Cisco

Active RFID Asset Tag Supports WIFI RTLS

WhereNet's multimode WhereTag(TM) IV active RFID asset tag is available. The WhereTag IV ISO 24730 mode can be applied in indoor or outdoor environments, and the IEEE 802.11 mode supports applications requiring lower precision in more stable, radio frequency (RF) friendly environments. ...

... "Supporting both ISO 24730 and IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi)-based real-time locating system (RTLS) applications, the WhereTag IV works with WhereNet's integrated wireless architecture for real-time location, messaging, telemetry, and workforce communication applications, providing constant asset visibility with the degree of location accuracy matched to the enterprise customer's specific business requirements. " ...

Via WhereNet: Multimode Active RFID Real-Time Locating System Tag

WiFi RFID Tags Track High-Value Parcels in UK

AeroScout, Inc. deploys asset tracking tags for City Link, an express parcel delivery firm in the UK's, that focuses on high-value delivery services. City Link is seeing benefits in its overnight trucking schedule which helps it sustain industry-leading delivery performance. ...

... "In the first stage of deployment, AeroScout and its UK Partner JDH Consultancy Limited installed 15,000 specially designed Wi-Fi tags with an extended battery life, which will be used at City Link's depots around the UK. These rugged, Wi-Fi-standard tags jointly designed by AeroScout and JDH Consultancy Limited are being used to manage the company's dynamic inventory of roll-cages, which house and protect its high-value parcels during transit. At any moment in time, up to 300,000 parcels in 15,000 cages at 70 UK locations can be monitored and located in real-time from City Link's National Distribution Centre in Wednesbury, West Midlands over the City Link Cisco Wi-Fi network. By maintaining accurate and real-time visibility of roll-cages, City Link has improved the efficiency and speed of its delivery services. " ...

Via Aeroscout: AeroScout Delivers World's Largest Wi-Fi-Based Active RFID Tag Deployment to City Link ...

Active RFID Tag: AeroScout T3 Advances Track and Trace

AeroScout Inc. introduces its AeroScout T3 Tag, an advanced, active RFID tag for asset and people track and trace applications. New features are: Small size credit-card rugged form factor; Efficient power consumption provides efficient use of battery life up to 4 years; Seamless indoor-outdoor reliability provides integrated RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) and TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival) location options; And, choke point detection capability that enables the active RFID tag to be triggered at doorways, gateways or enclosed areas. ...

... "The AeroScout T3 Tag builds on the company's innovation and expertise as the creator of both the market's original Wi-Fi tag, and the current market-leading T2 Tag. The T3 Tag combines the proven benefits of AeroScout's asset tracking capabilities with a new streamlined, flat shape, low power consumption, and advanced capabilities to meet a wide variety of customer needs. " ...

Via Aeroscout: AeroScout Launches T3 Series Wi-Fi-Based Active RFID Tag ...

Active RFID Evolution Accelerates

Active RFID technology is seeing increased extension of its capabilities. A number of sensor and sensing functions are being introduced. As well as communications features raning from WiFi to satellite communications. ...

... "These are typical examples of how active RFID technology is evolving much faster than passive RFID technology and creating many exciting new applications and profit opportunities for companies of all sizes. " ...

Via Sys-Con: Link

Upcoming conference will focus on Active RFID technology.

RFID Middleware: Automate Integrate ...

Reltronics Technologies has made their system, SmartInstrument, a versatile middleware for automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, widely available in the marketplace. Reltronics strengths lie in automation and identification using remote RFID technology. The SmartInstrument middleware system plays a role in supporting interoperability and integration of multiple, potentially incompatible, solutions. ...

... "One of Reltronics Technologies' fortes is in creating and supporting RFID systems that assist in automating asset and inventory management, identifying drug pedigrees, etc. and which rely upon storage and remote retrieval of data using RFID hardware (Readers, Antennas, Tags or Transponders). Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have whole-heartedly accepted the RFID concepts to implement efficiencies in their workflow and to limit inventories in their warehouses and they have subsequently initiated mandates to their vendors to implement RFID technology in their supplies within set timelines. These mandates are allowing shorter timelines and the industry not only needs many new deployments but also sustain existing deployments. SmartInstrument is a step forward to facilitate transparency in the RFID systems deployment thereby bringing commonality between various RFID protocols and hardware technologies (reader, antenna, and transponders or RFID tags), irrespective of the technology being new or old.

For instance, SmartInstrument enables end-users to deploy new RFID systems while seamlessly supporting all existing RFID systems and eliminating the need for single- sourcing thereby achieving a better return of investment. It fills the need by interpreting any RFID system utilizing any reader (Active, Passive), working on any frequency (LF, HF, VHF, UHF), with any communication protocol (Ethernet, WiFi, RS-232, RS-485), any transponder (Active, Passive), and any standard (EPCGlobal, ISO, AIMGlobal) bringing the much needed commonality into the RFID infrastructure. Reltronics Technologies' focus on bringing interoperability and sustainability into the RFID technology environment is the result of industry satisfaction with the RFID initiative, to enable overcoming the customer perception of which RFID technology to deploy, to enable commonality between the various RFID protocols, to enable a more cost-effective RFID system deployment, and finally to allow the end-users to start small with one RFID system and expand at their own financial pace without having to worry about the RFID system being antiquated. " ...

Via Reltronics: A Novel Idea to Harmonize Automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems ...

UWB RFID Hospital Tracking System ...

Parco Wireless plans next-generation of RFID ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system targeted for healthcare environments. ...

... "Precis incorporates Time Domain Corporation's Pulson ultra-wideband technologies in its design. The new line will include a full suite of products that include assets tags, patient wristbands, personnel badges and two design type readers. According to company leadership, the new Precis tags and receivers will help dispel all misconceptions about the higher cost of implementing a UWB tracking system. While the cost of UWB tracking technologies were historically higher when compared to competing technologies such as Infrared (IR) or WiFi systems, many hospitals felt compelled to hold off on implementing a UWB active RFID tracking system despite the superior benefits UWB systems offered.

The locations of the tags are tracked by UWB readers installed at fixed locations within a medical facility providing the location of patients, caregivers, and equipment within accuracy of 1.5 feet. The tags use extremely low-power as evidenced by their average life of over four years using a single 3 volt battery. " ...

Via Parco Wireless: Parco Wireless Set to Release World Class Tracking System ...

RFID WiFi Active Tag: Asset Tracking ...

AeroScout updates its active WiFi-capable RFID tag with sensor capabilities to upgrade its asset tracking performance. ...

... "AeroScout, Inc., the leading provider of Wi-Fi-based Active RFID visibility solutions, announced several enhanced features and capabilities for its AeroScout T2 Tag which are unique and unparalleled in the market. The T2 tag is the industry's leading Wi-Fi-based Active RFID tag for asset tracking and management, with tens of thousands of units being shipped each month to customers around the globe. New features on the AeroScout T2 Tag include a built-in temperature monitor and motion sensor, for unmatched asset management capabilities. The motion sensor provides transmission control based on movement of the tag, improving real-time location accuracy and enabling a 4+ year battery life in most customer environments. The temperature sensor provides an additional stream of asset management data for environment-sensitive assets, enabling the tag to wirelessly trigger a remote alert if the temperature goes above or below a certain threshold. In addition, advanced call button and LED functions, intrinsically safe and electromagnetic certifications on the tag, and extendable battery life (up to 8 years) all enable customers to further enhance their asset management capabilities. " ...

RFID WiFi Active Tag: Asset Tracking: Via AeroScout: AeroScout Enhances Industry's Leading Wi-Fi-Based Active RFID Tag ...

RFID Location Management Solution ...

RFID location management solution leverages WIFI networking. ...

... "With PanGo Network's 802.11-based active RFID location management solution distributed over the MobileAccess Universal Wireless Network, companies can reliably extend location-based services on a facility-wide basis. This capability enables operations executives at hospitals and other large enterprises to leverage their wireless infrastructure investment to quickly locate critical equipment and improve staff efficiency. It also provides the peace of mind that comes from buying from trusted technology providers. " ...

RFID Location Management Solution: Via PanGo Networks, Inc.: MobileAccess and PanGo Team to Add Location-Aware Capability to Enterprise Wireless Networks ...

WIFI RFID System on Chip ...

G2 Microsystems introduces RFID system on a chip that supports WIFI networking standards. ...

... "G2 Microsystems Inc., a developer of integrated circuits for the Mobile Resource Management (MRM) market, announced an ultra low-power, active radio frequency identification (RFID) System-on-a-Chip (SoC) that leverages the widely-deployed Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) network infrastructure. By using this existing infrastructure, G2 Microsystems SoC enables businesses to install asset tracking systems at a fraction of the cost of today's solutions resulting in at least a 75% reduction in total cost of ownership. Additionally, the chip's integrated support for multiple location technologies and environmental sensing coupled with ultra low-power consumption enables a new class of tags that will open the door for global MRM services in many enterprise applications.

Mobile resource management is a fast-growing market that uses RTLS to track and monitor assets both inside and outside of facilities. The Yankee Group forecasts the global RTLS market will grow to $1.6B by 2010, fueled by deployments in healthcare, manufacturing and logistics. Targeted at the RTLS market, G2 Microsystems' G2C501 Wi-Fi Active RFID SoC is a very flexible solution that enables a broad range of customer types to tailor systems to their specific application at a very low total cost of ownership. The chip is currently being incorporated into leading RTLS solutions including those from Ekahau and PanGo Networks. " ...

WIFI RFID System on Chip: Via G2 Microsystems: G2 Microsystems Significantly Reduces Cost of Asset Tracking Systems with Industry's First Wi-Fi RFID System-on-a-Chip: Leading Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Providers, Ekahau and PanGo Networks, Plan to use G2 Microsystems' Chip ...

RFIDTags ChildSafety Japan: Aeroscout ...

AeroScout supports child safety in Japan through the application of RFID and WIFI technologies. ...

... "The system, which utilizes AeroScout's T2 Tag with Call Button, has been developed to reduce accidents and crime involving Japanese schoolchildren. The new service uses standard Cisco Wi-Fi access points to accurately locate children wearing AeroScout tags during their walk to and from school. Automobile drivers are alerted to the presence of nearby children through a voice service, to reduce accidents in residential city areas. When a child reaches pre-set points along their route, the system will notify their guardian. In addition, a child can call for help by pressing the Call Button on the AeroScout tag, which will immediately alert their guardian. " ...

RFIDTags ChildSafety Japan: Aeroscout: Via AeroScout: AeroScout Call Button Tag Provides Wi-Fi Tracking Solution For Child Safety: AeroScout Japan Joins Nissan and NTT for Innovative Wireless Location Tracking and Security Service ...

Tag: RFID

Cognio RFID Spectrum Analysis: Wireless Management ...

Cognio expands its technology for spectrum analysis to support wireless management of RFID devices. ...

... "The unlicensed bands are becoming increasingly congested as more devices, and types of devices, are now available and in use. Wireless networks are also proliferating at a staggering rate, with the leading networks leveraging the unlicensed band for RFID and WiFi. This makes managing these networks and devices challenging for wireless IT managers as they operate in the most difficult spectrum to control -- the unlicensed spectrum, where these networks must compete for resources with other devices that use these frequencies. To combat the growing problem, network professionals need tools that can quickly troubleshoot the physical layer. For RFID networks, the need is to be able to determine whether there are interfering devices and to test to verify the power transmitting from RFID readers as either can significantly undermine network availability and reliability. For WiFi, the problem is to ensure that connectivity problems are not being caused by physical layer problems. In both cases, Spectrum Expert solves these problems by enabling wireless IT manager to identify and locate interfering devices quickly before they can bring down or impact the network. " ...

Cognio RFID Spectrum Analysis: Wireless Management: Via Cognio: Cognio Expands Spectrum Expert Product Family to Include RFID Product ...

Additional resources on RFID spectrum analysis:

Tektronix: Applications > RF > RFID: "The main purpose of this application note is to demonstrate using a Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer to evaluate an RFID system's compliance to ISO/IEC standards as well as government regulations regarding intentional transmitters (i.e. FCC 47 part 15, ARIB STD-T82, and EN 300 330)."

Real-Time Spectrum Analysis In RFID Testing About RFID Transmission protocols Real time spectrum analysis: "The testing requirements for RFID signals cover not only the traditional RF measurements of frequency, spectral emissions, power and power versus time (because of the time-varying nature of the signal) but also analysis of the short bursts of modulation. The situation is further complicated by the fact that signals are present only for a short time, have vastly differing power levels and could even be frequency-hopping."

Spectrum Analyzer measures 3 distinct frequency bands., Berkeley Varitronics System: "Interfacing with iPAQ PocketPC, RF-calibrated BumbleBee measures 2.400-2.500 GHz, 5.150-5.900 GHz, and FCC designated Public Safety band of 4.940-4.990 GHz. Spectrum analysis features include 3 waveform traces, peak hold, peak search, and user-selectable packet/interference triggers. Unit allows on-the-fly switching of bands for real-time spectral analysis of wireless standards including RFID, VoIP, 802.11, cordless phones/ video, and broadband public safety data networks."

Wifi Active RFID Solutions: RTLS ...

Wifi Active RFID Solutions: RTLS: Via AeroScout: AEROSCOUT AND ALANCO INTRODUCE INDUSTRY’S FIRST TAMPER-PROOF WI-FI ACTIVE RFID TAG: Partnership Delivers Wi-Fi-based Location Solution to Corrections Industry ...

... "AeroScout, Inc., the market leader in the field of Wi-Fi based Active RFID solutions, announced a partnership with Alanco Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALAN) to develop and deliver a 2.4 GHz real-time location solution (RTLS) for the corrections industry. The two companies have successfully completed joint development on the industry's first tamper-proof Wi-Fi Active RFID tag, and deployed the first pilot site for a European prison customer. ... Through the partnership, AeroScout and Alanco have developed an extension to Alanco's successful TSI PRISM tracking system, which provides real-time identification and tracking of inmates and officers within corrections facilities, both indoors and out. The system can accurately locate and identify any person wearing a small wireless tag device, and this information is integrated into prison monitors. It handles common prison complexities such as a multi-floor, mixed indoor/outdoor environment, as well as the need for cell-level accuracy (using AeroScout's compact Exciter choke point device.) The two companies have developed the industry’s first Wi-Fi-based RFID tag with tamper-proof capabilities. The tag, which can be read by standard Cisco wireless access points, immediately detects any attempt to remove or tamper with it. The joint development efforts have also enabled the TSI PRISM system to now use the popular Wi-Fi standard (2.4 GHz) as a communications protocol. The system was designed to be extended to other environments with similar needs, such as psychiatric facilities. " ...

RFID LocationBased Services: Health Watch ...

Tom Taulli explores the use of technology in municipalities, such as RFID technology in public health services. ...

RFID LocationBased Services: Health Watch: Via Forbes: Keeping Up With Cedar Rapids ...

... "With location-based services, a city can offer a health service where Alzheimer patients wear watches with RFID [Radio Frequency Identification] tags in them so that a lost patient can quickly be found in the city, said PanGo's CTO Richard Barnwell. " ...

Ubisense Sensors: RFID Active Tags